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What kids are saying about The Fairy Chronicles: A Really Good Book, A Kid's Review
This is a really good book. It is about a girl who finds out she is a fairy. Then she has to go with her friends to rescue the feather of hope from gremlins. I read this book to my little sister. She thinks it is the best book of all time. I think Harry Potter books are better because they are longer. She likes this book because it is shorter. Maybe this book is better because it is more about girls. Mom printed us another Fairy Chronicles book from the internet. We both like it because it is about a peaceful dragon. We are keeping it in a folder to read again. My sister wants a pussywillow wand. She will get one because she is five. I want a wooden wand because it is more grown up like Harry Potter. I want a daschund but I can't have one because we already have a poodle. This is a very very good book. You should read it.
-- A reviewer, a kid, 12/08/2004 Great Dachshund Story
Even though this is a fantasy story about fairies, I think the dachshund is the best character in this book. His name is Peanut and he has a lot of personality as he helps the fairies with their mission, plays with his squeaky toy, and eats his blueberry muffin treat in the end. His is also cute when he nods hello to the gnome, gets his scolding from Beth's mom, and goes to his room with his toenails clicking on the hard floor. We had a dachshund when I was a kid and he was just like Peanut. The brownies and gremlins also make this a fun story, but for me, the dachshund was the best part. It is good to know they can scare away gremlins.
-- Jessie (January 4, 2006) THIS IS A REALLY COOL BOOK! AWESOME!
My Aunt Evelyn gave me this book because I love fairies. I'm happy there's a lady in the book named Aunt Evelyn. That makes it more special.
I loved the fairies, gremlins, and all the fun characters.
Peanut is so cute and funny.
I loved the way they all talked and I hope the author writes another one soon.
My name is Heather. I'm ten years old.
Thank you, lady, for the cool book.
-- A Kid's Review (June 8, 2005) Great Book
I got this book for my birthday. I read it on the weekend. It is great. Fairies like lemon jelly beans. The dog is cute. He has a hot dog toy. I like the cover of the book. The fairies have to try to get along with the brownies. They fight with gremlins but no one gets hurt. Mr. Forester gets a puppy in the end so he will not have any more gremlins in his house. One of the brownies likes Marigold and sends her a note in a nut message. This book is great.
-- A Kid's Review (February 22, 2005) Fantastic!
I did a book report on this book. My teacher wanted me to pick a more serious book, but she still gave me an A when she found out how important fairies are in the world. At first I picked this book to read because it is short, but I read it twice. So it didn't matter. I like the dog and the gremlins in this story. I also like that the story is both fun and serious. Some of my friends want to read this book, but I'm not sure if I want them to borrow it. I am afraid I might not get it back. If any of them read it twice it might get bent up. But my Mom says I should share because I have more books than they do. I have a lot of books. If I am a fairy I want to be a firefly or dragonfly instead of a flower. Firefly can light up. Dragonfly is faster and can play soccer better. If I am a fairy, I want an older fairy to tell me soon so I can start doing my job as a fairy. I could do the job. I am responsible. I take care of a cat and a guinea pig. I liked this book a lot.
-- A Kid's Review (December 22, 2004) Dragonfly's Mission
My sister and I like this. We like fairies and books about fairies. Dragonfly leads this fairy mission to find the Dream Spider. She handles herself well when she meets the trolls and the dream spider. Dragonfly gets to see the Web of Dreams in the end. It is in a secret place. Riding on birds sounds like fun. The Dream Spider gives Dragonfly a bracelet in the end to help her sleep. I will read this book again with my sister.
--A Kid’s Review (January 7, 2006) What parents, librarians, and teachers are saying about The Fairy Chronicles: Great for Fairy and Fairytale Lovers
I have been reading the Fairy Chronicles series for about two years now, both the online e-Books and the first two published books. My daughter and I love the stories of trolls, dragons, elves, Jack Frost, etc. The first book has a wonderful storyline with fairies, gremlins, and an adventure to recover the Feather of Hope. It is a short book, but it is a lovely fairytale. I will be reading this again for pleasure in the years to come. I recommend it for all ages of fairy and fairytale lovers.
-- Janice Welbourne, science teacher, parent, and reader, 12/02/2005 Highly Recommended
As an avid reader of fairy stories, I was extremely surprised to discover that the fairy characters in this book are real girls. But it makes sense for the fairies to be real human beings since there is so much at stake for mankind with the possible loss of all hope on earth. The fairies show impressive courage in battling the gremlins to rescue the Feather of Hope. If the concept put forth in this story were real, I wonder how girls this young (8 years old) could possibly handle the responsibility of the job of protecting nature and fixing the world's serious problems. It is certainly something for young girls to aspire to. Beth's initial attitude regarding her aunt's peculiarities really struck a cord with me as I remember being embarrassed in my youth to be seen with an eccentric relative. In many ways, this is a story we can all feel connected to. Shortly after reading this book, I saw a migrating monarch butterfly and actually wondered - Are you perhaps a fairy? This is ideal reading for girls 8-13, or anyone who enjoys children's fantasy.
--Emily Robinson, a librarian, 11/19/2004 Great Pixy Tale with Wonderful Detail
I love pixy folk. This book is so much fun and a magnificent beginning to a wonderful fairytale saga. There are so many interesting segments in this book. For example, I didn't know that fairies love lemon jellybeans and can get lost in jigsaw puzzles, or that the fairy handbook is everchanging and interactive, or that gnomes add colors to nature. I am also delighted to find out that gnomes can disguise themselves, which is why I never see any in my garden. The job of the brownies is very interesting too, along with the three things gremlins are afraid of. The detail in this book is really incredible. My daughter was so excited to discover that trees have meaning. This story really peaked her interest, and we have since looked up tree and flower meanings. Also, I had no idea that marigold flowers can repel bugs. That is great information to know. I love the various forms that mother nature can take, and the mention of migrating monarch butterflies. My daughter looked up migrating monarchs right after reading this book. I am impressed that she has learned so much just from this story. We are now both excited to read additional books of this series, especially since we have found out that there are bat, spider and snake fairies to read about.
-- Mary Desmond, A reviewer, 02/02/2005 My Daughter's Favorite Book
I read this book to my four-year-old daughter, and she has since become obsessed with it. We continue to read it chapter by chapter, over and over again each night. She runs around the house and back yard pretending to be Marigold and Dragonfly, and she has demanded a peacock feather wand and a fairy handbook. After doing some research on this series, I have discovered that the pages of a fairy handbook appear blank to ordinary people, so it was easy to buy a blank journal and print a label for the cover. Now, she writes in her fairy handbook daily with crayons, usually 3 giant words per page, and draws pictures of butterflies and fairies. Having almost memorized this book, I am looking forward to the day whan she can read it on her own. I recommend Marigold and the Feather of Hope to any parent of a fairy princess with a word of warning - this story can be addictive.
-- Bob Scrievy, father of a fairy princess, 11/09/2004 Wonderful Tale!
Forget what you think you know about fairies, gnomes, brownies, and gremlins. This is a whole new “world of fairies.” Though the author incorporates some traditional lore, this concept of “fairies among us” is quite interesting and refreshing. I very much look forward to future tales of the girl-next-door using her secret fairy powers to save us all from doom.
-- Sarah Jones, a reader, 10/12/2004 GREAT series!
I loved the first book and have also read several of the e-books and they are simply wonderful and well written. You have got to check out this new author and I hope to see more books published as well.
Also recommended: The Hobbit
-- Barbara, A reviewer, 10/11/2004 Great Story
Very quirky and imaginative. Enjoyable plot with adorable characters and surprising events. Highly recommended.
-- Maggie Villarreal, an educator & fairy tale lover, 10/07/2004 Highly Recommended
My daughter loved reading this book and couldn't stop talking about it so I read it myself. It reminds me of the stories I read growing up, with endearing and memorable charcters. We have since read some of the E-Books of the The Fairy Chronicles series and have found them completely enchanting as well.
-- Gail, A reviewer, 09/15/2004 Delightful storytelling!
It is always wonderful to discover a talented new voice in children's literature, and here she is. With a gift for the teaching of gentle but important lessons, J.H. Sweet has written the first in a series of captivating stories that takes readers to a mythical land of fairies and gnomes where even the youngest can do their part to preserve hope in the world.
-- K. Buchan, a teacher and girl scout leader, 09/09/2004 Delightful, Engaging Must Read
Marigold and The Feather of Hope is a must read for all ages. Girls, ages 7-14, will find strength, power, and wisdom in J.H. Sweet's words. Vivid, colorful characters and settings make the story come alive. The story-line is captivating and intriguing, and it keeps you reading until the last page. Looking forward to the next books in the series.
-- Susan Richmond, author of teen novels, 09/09/2004 I have waited a long time to see what this talented author's new publisher did with these wonderful books. All I can say is WOW! I know from reading the first editions that Ms. Sweet is a good writer and has a fabulous imagination, but wait until you see how the new publisher improved on her creations. The covers are magnificent; great art work AND the books have been upgraded from ages 4-8 to ages 9-12 which is where I always thought they belonged. One is never too old for good fairy tales. Each of Ms. Sweet's stories stand alone and I learned something new about fairies in each one. A MUST READ for adults as well as children!
-- Betty Dravis This book has wonderful values. The characters are fantastic role models for young children, and parents don't have to worry about what their children might be reading. The fantasy in this book is very benign and does not seem to promote anything other than a healthy imagination. There is some honesty added to the book which I find fascinating. Beth who is Marigold is embarrassed by her Aunt Evelyn at the beginning of the story. I remember being embarrassed by my parents on occasion growing up and I'm sure my kids feel that way sometimes about me. There is even a reprimand in the book about a young fairy who is judgmental of others. That was also interesting. Mr. Forrester's journal where the Feather of Hope is hidden also contains a message of almost brutal honesty about the meaning of life. I think this book is likely "deeper" than I realize but I still don't have to worry about my kids reading it. It is totally wholesome and moral. This coming from a skeptic. This is a great family book.
-- Suzanne Mesecke (Ontario) BOUGHT THIS FOR MY NIECE, BUT MY NEPHEW LOVES IT TOO!
I bought this book for my sister's daughter's birthday, but read it to both kids. Megan's little brother kept taking it into his room, so I had to go back to Borders and buy another one. I bought the second in the series and they both love it too. This author is a very talented writer. I'm pleased for her that her marvelous, original characters are becoming so very popular with the younger generation. Fine, moral books like this are needed in today's world. Thanks, Ms. Sweet, for bringing these gifts to delight our children for generations to come.
-- Dora Dalrymple (April 14, 2006) "My Daughter's New Favorite Book"
She has read it about four times. This is a pretty special book for her to take an interest like that. I read it yesterday and I like it myself. Maggie is ten but this would be good for younger and older girls too. Just use your judgement if they like fairies or not. We like the fun fairy wands and the dog Peanut best. The gremlins and what they are scared of is cute too. Maggie is also hunting around the garden for gnomes but we know we won't be able to see them in their disguises. It's just fun.
-- Leah Sandburg (April 7, 2006) Kids will love it.
I bought this book for my six year old son. My first impression is that the book was a lot shorter than I expected. It's probably the same length of a Magic Treehouse book but in the larger format, it didn't seem like much, especially considering the cost. My son loved me reading it to him. It has some of the same qualities of Harry Potter which appeal to him. Magical creatures, magic wands, and the quality of a young person discovering that he/she is more than what they appear to be. The story takes place within our world, though with fairies, so it is quite a bit different from the Harry Potter books (still our world, but so much more). But don't buy this expecting to enjoy the story as much as your child does. The story is somewhat shallow and doesn't offer much for the adult reader. The character of Marigold hardly, if at all, questions that she is a fairy, though having just discovered it. I missed the wonder and amazement that Harry Potter had when discovering his identity. In short, buy this relatively short book for your child and they will most likely love it. If you can get it on sale, all the better. If you are looking for the next Harry Potter, this isn't it.
-- R. A. Alexander (February 27, 2006) "A New Fairy Tale Writer"
Except for Tale of Despereaux and a few "cautionary tales" there aren't very many new fairy tales being written. This is a higher reading level than Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks. I would say more along the lines of Rapunzel and Cinderella, two of my kid's favorites. However, this book is more modern. There are some morals worked into the story but nothing directly religious. The young girl heroines are very independent and confident for their ages and are good role models for girls. This book would appeal to younger boys too because of the boy fairy brownies, gremlins, dachshund, and because they will probably admire the strong little girls. The brownies also have an incredibly important job in spreading hope over the entire world. I recommend this book for girls 6-12 and boys 6-10. It would be a good read-aloud book for 3-6 year olds. There is also a strong nature aspect to this book because the fairies protect nature. Good story and my kids and I are looking forward to more in this series.
-- Jason Bertolli (October 3, 2005) Nice, Shining Tip of an Iceberg.
This is a nice beginning for a wonderful, extended series of fairy tales. At first I was skeptical of so many books in a series, but I have found out that all of the books are very different. With 60 books to this series, this book seems to be a tip of an iceberg, but it is a nice shining tip. The first book is good and lays a foundation. Beth is Marigold and finds out she is a fairy. She learns about things like how to fly and use her wand and fairy handbook. She has a fun adventure and saves the world with the help of her friends and an adorable dachshund. I think the writer must have a dachshund (but I read on her website that she has an imaginary dog) because she gets the personalities of dachshunds just right for this story. Peanut seems to come to life. I have read all of the books so far that are free on the Fairy Chronicles website. Free is good. The books are all different: And the books have gotten better. This is one of those things that started off good and has become excellent. I am so impressed. I liked reading the first few books, but I love reading the more recent ones that have been added. The mind of this writer is very unique. I have not really read other stuff this clever. That I actually get, that is. I really get the messages in these books and some of them are pretty serious. Okay, now I can’t resist telling you which of the books are my favorites: Sniggerbly Wiskerfink 29, The February Garden 24 (I want a husband like Jack Frost), the Basket of Understanding 23, and the Flying Turtle 30 -- in that order. The Ship of Pools and Big-Wag books are also really terrific and funnier than some of the other books, but don’t read about Mimosa in book 8 unless you want to cry. It is sad. Ginger’s story is also good in #27 with the purple Ibex. I am a teacher and a mother and I love these fairy tales. My kids aren’t quite as excited about them as I am but they are teens and busy with other things. Except I saw my niece reading the BigWag book on her computer so kids definitely like this stuff. Five Stars and counting. Kudos.
-- Ophelia (August 1, 2005)
AN AWESOME FAIRY ADVENTURE...
WOW! A LITTLE GIRL WITH A FLOWER FAIRY SPIRIT AND A BUTTERFLY MENTOR! Grabs you right up front, doesn't it? Well, that's the magic about this author; she weaves a story around a real child, then surrounds the child with the most marvelous playmates, gives them wonderful adventures, and OFF we go ... for the fantasy of a lifetime. Author Sweet is a really "sweet" storyteller (pun intended). Wonderful characters; great dialogue; and out-of-this-world adventures. Don't miss this fun-to-read book! I highly recommend it.
-- Betty Dravis, author of The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley (July 17, 2005) A Modern Fairy Story
I just had to read this book after seeing all the rave reviews. I thought it was a little pricy, but hoped it would be worth it. I just read it to my 7 and 11 year old daughters. The 11 year old is long past any interest in fairies, but something in this story kept her coming back to hear more. The story doesn't take place in some fantasy world for the most part, it takes place in our world. The story just introduces us to some fairies, brownies and gremlins that we might "overlook" in our day to day lives. We really enjoyed the fresh approach, that Beth/Marigold was just an ordinary girl, and her transformation back and forth between fairy and little girl was something we could all relate to without a huge stretch of the imagination. The story doesn't talk down to children, and while short, it is wonderfully creative. I think my money was well spent and hope to see book 2 soon! My older daughter says she especially liked Aunt Evelyn because of her colorful personality.
-- J. D. Fegler (May 25, 2005) My 8 year old daughter said " I couldn't put it down"
My daughter loved this book. She is begging for more. Where are books 2-22? Book 1 is not in our suburban library system or the Chicago Public Library system. I had the librarian write the title down for future purchasing.
-- SDSonn (May 10, 2005) This book has been valuable to me.
I run a small daycare center and I read this book aloud to the kids. They loved it! Especially the gremlins and the dog. One child told me that gremlins might be the reason her mother's dishwasher broke. Because of this book we have had a visit from a dachshund, which the kids all loved, and this has started a weekly pet day for us. We have also had a visit from a pet shop owner who brought several pets and told the kids which pets are best for which types of people. We are now reading some of the free online books of this series aloud. I didn't get into this business for profit so free things are greatly appreciated. The kids love the stories so far about elves, trolls, giants, goblins, etc... And they are learning about nature and recycling. We have looked up things like nightingales, jackrabbits, calliope hummingbirds, orb weaving spiders, chameleon lizards, etc... They have learned a lot from these stories. I think this book would be more suitable to be read alone by 8-10 year olds, but it is fine for reading aloud to all ages of youngsters. The kids are especially fascinated by the different types of fairy wands like braided orangutan hairs and pine needles. We haven't come across any two wands that are the same in the series. There is a nice mix of ethnic backgrounds in the group of fairies too (Asian, Hispanic, African American etc...), just like the mix in my group of kids here at the daycare. It is good for kids to read about a variety of other children. They especially like the Native American fairy because there is a great influence of that culture in our area. This book has been useful to me in my work and it is a good story.
-- Becky King (May 2, 2005) Extremely Imaginative, but Traditionally Written
We received this book as a donation to our school library. After screening it, I couldn't help but read it. It is a delightful story of fairies, brownies, gremlins and a dachshund. Though the girls in this book are modern, the story is written in a very traditional manner. The writer is a good storyteller and does not seem to be trying to invent a new way to tell the story, which is refreshing to me because I think many children's books these days try too hard to be clever, and the inventiveness of some modern children's writers seems to detract from the storyline rather than add something to it. This book is very well written. The story is highly imaginative and original, but it flows very much like the books I read growing up such as the Oz series, Pippi Longstocking, and various Beverly Cleary books. I am particularly pleased that the writer did not feel the need to make the lead character an orphan being raised by abusive relatives, escaping the situation only by some magical means. Although that scenario works well in many popular children's books these days, that theme is completely overused, adding very little substance to the events of the stories. Although this book is short, it is rich in meaning, detail and depth. Some of what I am describing is mentioned in other reviews, but I don't think anyone has truly hit on the essence of this book. Beth (Marigold) is very much like any normal young girl, and is special even without the added gift of a flower fairy spirit. All human beings are extremely important, even those without obvious exceptional gifts. I am pleased that this is evident in this book, specifically in the quote from Mr. Forrester's journal stressing what he feels is important in life, "...how we treat other people and what we teach to children." I think more adults should read this story and take it to heart. This book will teach kids lessons, but they will be entertained without knowing they are learning something. I would like to know when more books of this series are going to come out, so I can begin to stock my home and school bookshelves with these wonderful stories. This book is absolutely recommended by a school librarian.
-- Chynna Barrie (March 18, 2005) Engaging Fairy Tale
I debated over whether to give this book a four or five star rating, but when my daughter came rushing into the room asking frantically, "Where's my book?" (I was flipping through it to do this review.), the decision was made. She had read half the previous night, so her excitement about finishing it clinched the higher rating. This is an interesting story about a girl finding out she is a fairy and learning to be one. She then has to help on a mission to keep all hope from fading in the world. There are many clever aspects to this story, some of which are very amusing such as what gremlins fear. (stainless steel, vacuum cleaners, dachshunds) Many small elements of the story are also very charming such as the description of a fairy circle gathering - it does not have to be circular. If I were going to dissect this book, I would say that it is different than other fairy books in existence today, but that doesn't necessarily mean bad. When it arrived in the mail, I read it through without stopping - the story was that engaging. Marigold and the Feather of Hope took me over an hour to read, and I am a fairly quick reader. My daughter and I are both fans of the Pixie Tricks and Fairy Realm series. In comparing this book to our other favorites, I noticed that the print is slightly smaller with less spacing between the lines. I can only assume the publisher did this to conserve paper since this would be a fatter book if printed in the manner of many other books for younger readers. Or maybe the publisher used less child-like print to appeal to a variety of age groups, because fairy tales are both ageless and timeless. The book also does not have illustrations; however, I was able to see the fairies and the action very clearly in my mind from the author's descriptions. Although I would prefer fairy books to have lovely pictures, there is definitely something to be said for the imaginative power of our own minds to make the images personal. I did feel very connected to the story based on my own frame of reference. I imagine my daughter is envisioning the scenes differently based on her own fairy perspective. I have discovered that there are 60 e-books in this series, and I am looking forward to reading some of them as well.
-- Candice Newbery (February 25, 2005) Exceptional Book, Highly Original
I can't say enough good things about this book. It is wonderful. The characters are well-developed, the plot is original and exciting, and the concept of the Feather of Hope is very clever. This is a new and enlivening world of fairies, gnomes, brownies, gremlins, etc. The magical creatures in this book are not patterned after those in movies or other books. I applaud this author for not following trends or getting stuck in a well-worn groove of tradition. This book is nothing like other children's fantasy books, which is what makes it so incredibly interesting. The Fairy Chronicles is a fresh take on the fairy world with more intricate elaborations on fairies, gnomes, brownies, and gremlins than I have read in any book, and I am a lifelong fairy enthusiast. This book may fall loosely into the same category of other fantasy books, but there are no books at all similar enough to do a side-by-side comparison. This story is much different. It is a fairy tale, and a very good one, but truly innovative. My kids and I love this book and have started reading the rest of the series online. The saga so far is magnificent with extremely unique elements. Bravo to J. H. Sweet for creating a brave new world of fairies and wonderful adventures for us to enjoy.
-- Molly Patrick (January 23, 2005) Excellent Adventure
This author has found an exciting way to entertain while exposing young readers to diverse cultures and nature appreciation. I have read the book to my 3 year old daughter, and amazingly the story held her interest! She actually asked when we were going to read the story again. Thank you for making this excellent adventure available for readers of all ages.
-- Liz Guerrero (January 12, 2005) Excellent Concept of Fairies Today
It seems many fairy stories today are either completely rooted in the lore of old, or so trendy that they are obvious mimics of the most popular magical books of our times. I am pleased to report that this book is neither. There is still beauty and delicacy in the realm of The Fairy Chronicles, but the characters are real and genuine human beings. If there are fairies in our world today, this is precisely how they are living and participating in society. I believe fairies would have progressed with the world to be exactly like this. They would not have stayed stuck in time. I am very impressed that this story presents both lovely elements of fairy fancy and strong characters of today who take action and get things done. I am tempted to believe that all of this is real, and I wonder how many fairies I might know who are carrying out their important fairy business very cleverly and secretly right under my nose. Even though I am in my forties, this story makes me wish I were a fairy. This is a wonderful book.
-- Amy Mason (December 10, 2004) Enchanting New Classic
This is an exciting and fanciful story of a young girl, who is also a fairy, saving the Feather of Hope from gremlins, with help from brownies and her dachshund, Peanut. I loved the idea of the "fairy handbook" that ages with the fairies. I want a "regular people handbook" that ages with me, to give me advice as I journey through life. I became completely lost in this tale and almost thought it was real until the tooth fairy tidbit. The variety of fairies and fairy wands in this book is interesting. I also like the nut message aspect of this story. I would like to send nut messages instead of phoning. Maybe this will encourage children to rediscover the lost art of letter writing. I certainly struggled to remember the last time I actually sat down and wrote a letter. Also, I would be prepared to swear that the Aunt Evelyn character in this story is really my Aunt Charlene. This book has made me extremely curious as to why fairies can get trapped in jigsaw puzzles. I hope that information will be included in future books. Overall, this is an incredible fairy story that I will be reading again and again for years to come.
-- Catherine Bennett (November 15, 2004) Clever and Amusing
As a fairy lover and dachshund owner, I feel this book was written specifically for me. The author has found a charming way to work fairy lore into real life. I am especially delighted to discover exactly what gremlins are afraid of: stainless steel, vacuum cleaners, and dachshunds. Now, when I have a run of bad luck with things breaking, I know to step up my vacuuming and give my dachshund free run of the house. The girls in this story are very independent and courageous and are great role models for youngsters. A wonderful book for all ages.
-- Jaclyn Ortiz (November 3, 2004) Enjoyable Fairy Tale
Beth is marigold fairy. She attends fairy circle and meets her new friends Dragonfly, Thistle, and Firefly. With help from Beth's dachshund, Peanut, they set out on a mission to rescue the Feather of Hope (the source of all hope on earth) from a house full of nasty gremlins. This story is highly imaginative and presents a new twist on traditional fairy lore because the fairies are real girls living among us. With an emphasis on respect for nature, tolerance of differences, and helping others, this book has the power to teach as well as entertain. Add in an adorable dog and fun aspects such as the fairies' love for lemon jellybeans, and the gremlins' fear of vacuum cleaners, dachshunds, and stainless steel, and you have a great story to enjoy again and again. Recommended read for all peoples and ages, particularly girls ages 8-14.
-- e.e. rowan (October 28, 2004) Fun Reading
Anyone interested in children's literature will enjoy this book. It is very well written -- has fun, adventure and good lessons to be learned. Also rekindles memories of younger days for the "older crowd". I hope to see much more by this author! The world needs more good fairy tales.
-- Beverly Burket "grandmother" (September 7, 2004) Sweet Story, Special Book
I was really amazed I liked this so well. The fairies are interesting characters and the girls who harbor the fairy spirits are also interesting. A young girl, Beth, finds out she is a fairy and discovers a few things about the magical world of fairies. She then goes to a fairy circle, which does not have to be circular, and meets a few new friends. Her friends seem even more like "characters" than she is, but she is still learning about everything and isn't quite as forward as the others. The fairies have to help the brownies, who are boy fairies, solve a problem involving gremlins and the Feather of Hope. Beth, who is also Marigold, gets her dachshund to help because dachshunds are one of the three things gremlins fear. The other two things are pretty cute. The ending is of course happy, but shows a nice journey of discover for Beth because she learns to look at certain things in the world much differently, not necessarily through magical eyes but through the eyes of someone who has had them opened to a diversity in the world. Beth's journey is very special because she learns to accept her aunt (the older fairy teaching her about the fairy world) for who she is. Beth is even able to find beauty in certain places she wasn't able to before. That's what makes the book a sweet story and even more special than just a magical book about fairies.
-- T. Randolph (September 6, 2006) My whole family loves fairytales, especially this series.
-- Philipa C. Field This is a terrific fairy book.
-- Danela Christophe "My kids' reading skills have drastically improved since they began reading this series of books and e-books. The stories really hold their attention."
-- Carolee Hanson Nice simple story with fairies, gremlins and a cute dachshund.
-- Phoebe Tristan Excellent Fairy Adventure
What we liked about Dragonfly and the Web of Dreams (from a mother and 2 girls, 8 and 11)
The trolls are fun. The spider is not what we expected. The trick ending (having to do with the Sandman) really surprised us. The gnome is adorable. We hope there is a gnome at work in our garden. The fairies get along with each other. Insomnia is a real problem for some children so it is interesting that the writer of this book recognizes this and added it to the story in a clever way at the end.
Why are the books of this series becoming unavailable? They are so good! I finally found something I feel comfortable letting my kids read, and it seems to be going away? We have the first two books of this series, we loved them, and I am very disappointed that we can't seem to get the 3rd and 4th books. I hope they come out again, because my kids are disappointed too.
--Ann Julian (July 2, 2006) Great Reading for Young Girls
My daughter, age 8, does not enjoy reading. However, she has read all three of The Fairy Chronicles and now wants to read more books about fairies. She has passed the books to our neighbors-all 2nd thru 4th graders-and has the girls on our street building fairy houses and imagining fairy things. The Fairy Chronicles are wonderful, innocent and inspirational books to encourage young girls to use their imagination.
--Mom of 3 (March 17, 2006) Wonderful Book
Many small details in this story are completely charming and could almost be separate stories, like Mr. Wimple's knowledge of boots and rabbits and trolls traveling the woods with bell jars. Mr. Wimple's thrill at attending the Garden Gnome Convention is also very sweet. The girls' nightmares are pretty cute too, mummies and falling elevators, but not overly scary for youngsters. There is a nice tie-in with the first book of this series as far as characters, but you don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one. The fact that the fairies like to play cat's cradle and tease each other about boys made me think of my own childhood. I look forward to reading more of these books and definitely recommend this one.
--Janice Welbourne (February 24, 2006) Great Style of Written Storytelling
This book has wonderful written style. The events that take place move along fairly quickly to hold the reader's interest. The book's content is also interesting with good depth of characters and an interesting mission. The small details in the book such as the trolls' love of stacking and sorting things, and the reason rabbits are not afraid of boots, add a lot of charm to this fairy tale. Overall this is a well written book and very memorable. I recommend it both for children and adults.
--Bobbi Anthony (February 1, 2006) Great Story with Cultural Diversity
When the Web of Dreams is destroyed, and the fairies set out on a journey to find the Dream Spider (the creature needed to rebuild the web), they encounter a few surprises along the way including trolls and other fairies. The writer of this tale certainly knows girls today. The characters are as diverse, both in culture and personality, as my daughter's friends. Dragonfly is a particularly strong character, very committed to her ideals. We need more stories about young girls of color in leadership roles, making a difference in the world. I enjoyed the caffeine and insomnia bits worked into this story. The fairies also learn a valuable lesson from the Sandman - that appearances can sometimes be deceiving. I enjoyed this story even more than the first book in the series.
--Sarah Alexander (January 10, 2006) A Must Read, Full of Fun Tidbits
Having read the first book of this series, I was really looking forward to the second one coming out. I am not at all disappointed. The diversity of the characters impresses me as much as the fantasy aspect of this story. I am now a fan of trolls and gnomes, as well as fairies. I think some of the smallest details of the story are what really make it special, like the trolls getting confused and carrying glass bell jars, and the "volunteer vegetables" that sprout up without being planted and are considered by some to be magical. I am buying an extra copy of this for my nieces, and I am really looking forward to reading more from this writer in the future.
--Robin Trinney, Scout leader, teacher, parent (January 3, 2006) Wonderful Characters and Tale of Nature
I am very drawn to the characters in this book. Having read Book One, I find Marigold's worry, lack of confidence, and tears very touching. I am also impressed with the author's light admonishment of Dragonfly's judgment of others while praising her conviction. And I never knew trolls and gnomes were such delightful creatures. This story has a remarkable ability to teach us to appreciate the simple and beautiful things in life and to protect them. I would love to see an animated version of this story to be able to see the Web of Dreams in sparkling action, catching nightmares. Unfortunately, this tale did nothing to help alleviate my fear of spiders. Despite the vegetarian status of the Dream Spider, and his apparent non-violent nature, there is something about a spider the size of a mixing bowl that unnerves me. Great fairy tale for all ages, as long as you can stand to read about a large spider.
--Renee Jacob (December 28, 2005) Exciting and Interesting Fairy Story
My daughter and I liked the first book of this series very much, but we like the second book even better. It is more exciting and has interesting characters added including The Sandman, the Dream Spider, and trolls. This book has both a happy ending and somewhat of a trick ending which adds to the excitement. We also loved the beginning of the story about rabbits not being scared by boots because "rabbits are too smart and boots are too dumb." It was so charming that it reminded us of some of the Winnie the Pooh stories we have read. We are really looking forward to reading more books in this series.
--Maryanne Hidalgo (December 5, 2005) Highly Imaginative & An Answer to the Boot Mystery
Thank you. I finally have the answer as to why my grandfather used to put his old boots in the garden: To scare the rabbits away. My seven-year-old daughter and I loved reading this book. This has sparked her interest in nature and gardening, and we have since discovered several "volunteer vegetables" in grandma's garden. When we began the book, I wondered when we were finally going to get to meet the Dream Spider, but it didn't matter because we were finding out so many neat things about gnomes, brownies, trolls, and the Sandman. We have recently read some of the e-books of this series and have discovered more amazing things like what dragons like to eat and why flamingos stand on one foot. So far, we have not been able to pick a favorite of this series, but we will definitely be rereading Book Two. This is a perfectly wonderful story.
--P. Forrester (October 6, 2005) "Simply Terrific"
I bought this because I have always loved faeries and fey folk and I wanted to get my daughter involved with fairies, she was more of a princess lover. Now, she and I have both discovered fairies! Her for the first time, and me for the first time with a brand new version of faery, fey, fairy lore. I have decided I really like this fairy lore. The fairies are real girls and vice versa. I wish they had had these books when I was growing up; I probably would have been a faery every day, as opposed to every other day. This book has a particularly interesting storyline with a lot of suspense and even a trick ending of sorts. I highly recommend it to all lovers of children's books, especially those who love fantasy, science fiction, fairy tale, and stories about real people. I think even boys might enjoy this. I hope to read much more from this writer in the future.
--Miri Johnson (August 25, 2006) Interesting Story; Great for All Ages
This is a very interesting fairy story. The girls have to go on a mission to save the world from excessive nightmares. I like the additional characters in this book:: trolls, the Sandman, Dream Spider, brownies. It is a quick-reading fun adventure. My mother actually turned me on to this book because she liked it. I am saving it for my daughter, two, who is not quite ready for this kind of adventure story. I'm sure she will like it when older. Good story and fun adventure that I think will appeal to a lot of different ages of people.
--R.G. Benedict (March 20, 2006) THE BEST FAIRY SERIES I'VE EVER READ!
It felt like forever before this second Fairy Chronicles was released. After reading the first one and knowing this talented author had more in the series, I couldn't wait for the series to get rolling.
Truthfully, I didn't think anyone could write one equal to the first one: Marigold, but Ms. Sweet topped herself.
This is an awesome book. My grandkids love it and I'm certain your kids will love it too. I'm buying a supply for all the kids in my family. It is THAT good.
--Betty Dravis (October 2, 2005) A GREAT COLLECTION FOR MY LITTLE SISTER
I bought this book for my little sister's birthday and she adored it. She's nuts about fairies. Mom and I plan to start her serious book collection with this series, so I hope this talented author writes many more.
I confess I borrowed the first two to read between gigs at The Comedy Center. I come from a long line of FAIRY LOVERS ... Irish, of course, so I grew up with these enchanting little winged people.
Thanks, Ms. Sweet for the fine books.
--Maxine Sloane (October 2, 2005) Great Magical Story
This is a wonderful story, fun for all ages, with great characters. It is magical and whimsical, and a quick read. Anything that my daughter, who does not like to read, will read twice is a great story. I read it myself to see what all the hubub was about, and I loved it. The characters reminded me of some in books I read growing up. The girls are girls of today, but there is something wonderfully oldfashioned about this book. I look forward to more in this fairy series. People who like stories with magic and fantasy will like this short but clever and fun story.
-- Mary, A reviewer, 11/01/2006 Very Empowering Story for Girls
Strength, courage, wisdom, and passion could all be used to describe these amazing young ladies. In this second installment of the series, the fairies take a journey into the unknown to accomplish an extremely important task: finding the Dream Spider and convincing him to rebuild the Web of Dreams. For me, the most interesting parts of this story are the trolls' habits and preferences, and their capture of the fairies using glass bell jars. Do they carry their bell jars with them everywhere? The author also cleverly devises a way for the heroine, Dragonfly, to overcome the evil spirit with a natural resistance to the effects of the Sandman's sleep sand. The theme that 'larger is not necessarily more important or impressive' is carried nicely through this tale. The fact that the Web of Dreams is so tiny is a very powerful element in this book. Very creative tale and a recommended read.
-- Catherine Bennett, school librarian, 01/16/2006 More Action than the First Book
I got hooked on this series from reading the first book. But I admit I like the second one better than the first. It has more action and is more exciting. The fairies take a long journey riding on a falcon and an owl because it is too far for fairies to fly on their own. They have a run-in with trolls which is somewhat scary for them at first, but turns out okay because the trolls actually like the fairies. Then they meet with the Dream Spider who is also scary but wouldn't harm fairies. The book has something of a trick ending which I admit I didn't see coming. It also has quaint details worked into it about gnomes, brownies, gardening, recycling, and some lessons to learn. This is a very good story and would be suitable for people of all ages. There are a lot more books in this series, and I have started to read the free E-books at the Fairy Chronicles website. I am now a fairy lover because of this series.
-- J.G. Royas, reader and parent, 12/15/2005 'Lovely Fairy Tale'
This is a wonderful story about a group of girls doing some pretty incredible things. (You probably thought I was going to say it was a story about fairies.) It is also a story about fairies but less of a fantasy story than I thought it would be which is why this story is so good. The girls are interested in recycling, giving Christmas presents to gnomes, and making sure places like Finland and Norway have enough laughter. I don't think anyone reading this story will feel like they are missing out when they discover that this book isn't entirely filled with pixie dust and fairy magic because it is an interesting story of blending real with fantasy. I like the ending when the girls/fairies are spending Christmas with their families, and they are all celebrating in slightly different ways. Read this book if you like fairies and children's fantasy, and you will discover a world where the fairies are connected with real life and do important things to help the world.
-- Rita Rodriguez, fantasy and fairy tale enthusiast, 09/05/2006 Good Addition to the Series
I like the variety this series is beginning to show. There are more magical creatures added than in the last two books, and the fairies have a somewhat creepy forest adventure this time. It's just a little dark and scary because the Spirit of Sorrow spreads darkness and sorrow spells. Of course the fairies triumph, just like in their previous adventures, and save all laughter in the world. It's nice that little girls are shown to make such a difference in the world with their deeds. These are good role-model girls because they seem to care more about things like nature and simple games and solving problems than they do about TV. And they are really too young to worry about boys yet. It seem the most this author is including in the books is some blushing, pranks, and note writing between the brownies and fairies. That is refreshingly innocent and reminds me of my own interactions with boys when I was a small girl, put a smile on my face. I have recently discovered the Fairy Chronicles website with what seems like a whole list of ebooks relating to this series, and I am looking forward to reading about more of the fairies' adventures. The list looks interesting so far. I hope the author keeps going because this is pretty wholesome stuff and I think our world needs that.
-- Suzanne Mesecke, reader and parent, 01/07/2006 We really get to know the girls behind the fairies.
I like the fact that this writer gives good background and a lot of character details. Because we know about these girls, we want to know more about what happens to them. Since we know their hobbies, likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, etc., we are very engaged in their quests. My girls and I have read the first two books in this series also and are very happy that each of our fairy “friends” is getting her shot at her very own fairy adventure, as a leader of the mission. This is a good lesson in fairness and makes us realize that everyone has greatness inside them and is capable of achieving great things. This story is fairly short, but has a lot of fun elements. We again have some contact with gnomes and brownies, but the writer has also added in elves, leprechauns, unicorns, a hedgehog, and a witch to the story. The fact that Madam Robin is a fairy mentor, but not a fairy, is also interesting. I am wondering how she got enchanted and hope that information is part of the series in the future. The entries from the Fairy Handbook are amusing, especially the toadstool ring definition. I recommend this book for lovers of fairies, magic, and little girl hero stories. You will like these little girls, they are very personable and good people. They take their jobs as fairies very seriously and do good things.
-- Danielle Romero, mom, reader, book collector, 12/18/2005 The Make-Up of Laughter
One of my favorite parts of this book is the description of what laughter is made of: things like tickle feathers, the sound of puppies barking, birdsong, wind chimes, jokes, Christmas snow and buried treasure. I also love the fact that Yin Yang balance is stressed in this story. My daughter loved the Christmas fairy circle and the brief unicorn visit to the fairies in the apple orchard. How laughter is spread around the world is also very interesting. My daughter actually asked questions about the jet stream, the chinook and zephyrs. She also wanted to know about Iceland, Finland and Norway. This book has made her want to learn things, and I have not had that kind of a response from her with many other books she has read. We have ordered an Atlas because of this book and looked up things in Encarta about the winds. However, this was mostly just a fun read for her because it was a good story.
-- Risa B., stay-home mom, 12/08/2005 A wonderful series! Realistic fairies come alive before your eyes!
J. H. Sweet ...
What a treat ...
Writing 'bout fairies,
she can't be beat.
Book one was pure delight;
Book two is "out of sight."
Book three is a kid's dream,
Book four will make them beam.
But wait till you see what's in store;
of fairy books, she has plenty more.
Each of this author's books stands alone as far as storyline, and I discovered something new about fairies and fairy lore in each one. She's a fine writer, so good at her craft that the fairies came alive for me. Interesting storylines, colorful characters in an exciting, entertaining format. Highly recommended.
--Betty Dravis, author of The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley (July 30, 2006) Good Fairy Tale Story
I got this book for my little granddaughter and we read it together at bedtime. She loved the fairies and the adventure. I found myself smiling at her smiles and at the story. This book is very good for entertaining small children but they won't be able to read it by themselves until they are around eight or so. Our favorite parts of the story were the different kinds of fairies. They all have different fairy spirits. My granddaughter also liked the unicorns, the bobolink bird, and what is inside the Shell. This is a good fairy tale.
--Ninfa Jones (April 10 2006) What is Laughter?
It is a pretty cute idea this book puts forth, that laughter is made of things like bubbles, tickle feathers, birdsong, and other things, all mixed up in correct proportions inside the manufacturing plant of the Shell of Laughter. The fairies have to figure out what has happened when the shell goes missing, and they have to go on a mission to get the shell back. I also like the idea that laughter is spread by various winds. My daughter liked the hedgehog best in this story. I only wish the books of this series had illustrations. That is pretty much the only thing I would change about this book. Otherwise, the story is wonderful.
--Jessie Fraser (February 17, 2006) Fun Story with a Leprechaun, Hedgehog, and Elf
This is a nice cast of characters for a fairy book. There is also a witch, unicorns, two kinds of gnomes (garden and wood), and a bobolink bird, which I thought was a made up kind of bird until I looked it up to discover it is real and is one of those birds named after the sounds it makes like a bob white bird. This really was nicely engaging and my nieces sat through the whole story without a break. It took us about an hour to read the whole thing aloud. They both want fairy wands and handbooks now. I'll have to see what I can do since I am the favorite aunt and can't let them down. Both girls loved the hedgehog, Snickers, best in this story. But they thought that Tom, the leprechaun was cute too. Jenna, the oldest, told me, very seriously, that she always knew that real elves didn't wear pointy shoes or look like Christmas elves. The writer of this book does a good job of describing the characters. I could see them in my mind as I was reading aloud. Jenna is six and took the book to read to herself after we had finished it. She seemed to be getting most of the story right and sounding out the longer words. I am sending a copy of this book, along with the first two in the series, to my other niece in Kentucky. And when I have little girls of my own, I will read this book to them.
--Andrea Bisson (February 3, 2006) Changing the Fairy World
This is a really nice perspective of the magical world. Reasons why we can't see fairies, gnomes, elves, etc. These things are explained. Even the far fetched things are believable in this fairy tale because we are given explanations and reasons. I wasn't at all surprised to find out what laughter is made of or that an elf carries the Shell around the world to spread laughter. And I am not surprised to learn about the job of fairies - they protect nature and fix problems. But I was surprised that the fairies are little girls who secretly go about their fairy business, with the help of older fairies, mentors as the book describes. This is interesting and different than other fairy books. This author is very creative as far as the world she writes about and is not staying within the world of what is known about fairies. I wish more authors would take chances to stray from the traditions ingrained in the realm of the magical world.
--Marty B. Shane (January 4, 2006) Great Story
My two girls, ages 4 and 9, really loved this story. I myself was intrigued because the girls were so real and the story so fun.
After attending their fairy circle gathering, and having Christmas fun with a visit from unicorns, the girls/fairies set out on a fairy mission to save all laughter in Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden for the coming year. (The Shell of Laughter is used to spread laughter all over the world via various winds and because it has been stolen, that part of the world is in danger of not receiving its share of laugther for the year.)
The girls/fairies are helped by an elf and his hedgehog, a witch, a leprechaun, a gnome, and a bird in their travels. There is a nice teamwork theme running throughout. The story also has some nice elements involving recycling and celebration of nature.
We also really enjoyed learning what laughter is made of, that part of the book made us laugh. My girls learned something about winds and we looked up seashells after reading this story. I think anyone would enjoy this light, yet important adventure of real people doing something important.
--B. Rosales (October 3, 2006) Terrific Fairy Book
I love this particular installment of the Fairy Chronicles Series. The story has a lovely theme of helping to save all laughter in the world while recognizing that sorrow and laughter must both exist. I have a brand new niece and though she is too young for a book like this I am carefully putting away a copy of this book for her. I don't believe any little girl will be disappointed to read this story. The elf who is "Keeper" of the Shell of Laughter is very stoic, and that is an interesting part of this fairy tale. The writer explains that he is a necessary balance to the shell and otherwise would not be able to withstand the effects of longterm exposure. I think what I love most about this book and the Fairy Chronicles Series in general is the variety the stories are presenting. In Thistle and the Shell of Laughter, we see unicorns, meet a leprechaun and a hedgehog, learn about types of winds, and discover a special bird called a bobolink. We also meet a witch and learn a little bit about geography (Finland, Norway, etc) when it comes to the spreading of laughter on the winds. There are a number of different kinds of fairies (Starfish, Marigold, Toad, etc) with different personalities so the girls are not all the same. Having enjoyed all of the books in this series so far, I plan to read a lot more about fairies.
--Amy Mason (July 13, 2006) 4 and ½ Stars, Interesting Story
The story has great characters (elf, hedgehog, witch, and leprechaun help the fairies) and a nice theme (balance in our world). The book is creative and original and does not strictly follow traditional or known fairy lore. My daughter loved this book and did not stop reading until she had finished it.
4 and ½ Stars
--Arlene Granger (January 3, 2006) The Make-Up of Laughter
One of my favorite parts of this book is the description of what laughter is made of: things like tickle feathers, the sound of puppies barking, birdsong, wind chimes, jokes, Christmas snow and buried treasure. I also love the fact that Yin Yang balance is stressed in this story. My daughter loved the Christmas fairy circle and the brief unicorn visit to the fairies in the apple orchard. How laughter is spread around the world is also very interesting. My daughter actually asked questions about the jet stream, the chinook and zephyrs. She also wanted to know about Iceland, Finland and Norway. This book has made her want to learn things, and I have not had that kind of a response from her with many other books she has read. We have ordered an Atlas because of this book and looked up things in Encarta about the winds. However, this was mostly just a fun read for her because it was a good story.
--Risa Blevins (December 12, 2005) A Book That Can Teach, Surprising
We didn't even know that black squirrels exist. My 6 year old son and I have been reading this book together. We have learned that there really are black squirrels, and we have learned something about the cycles of the moon. He is actually pouring over a calendar trying to understand 'how the moon works' and we have done some looking at the actual moon. Now here's the really surprising part. He wants to try both kinds of asparagus, white and green, because this book has a segment on asparagus. How much better can a children's book get? Learning about animals and moons, and making children WANT to eat veggies. I have totally not even mentioned the fantasy parts of this book that include magical animals like a black stag and a squit, or goblins and dwarves. There is an important mission to break a curse too. My son also wants to go camping now, since that is how the fairies start off in the story. They are on a camping trip. Great, Great Book!
-- Kendra Michaels, mom to Justin, cake decorator, 10/03/2006 Terrific Fairy Story
I have always loved fairies, and I really like this book. The fairies go on a camping trip, then attend their fairy circle meeting. Then they set off on a mission to find a dwarf, the Black Stag, and blue moon clover needed to stop a terrible curse. They travel through the Forgotten Forest on their adventure, and of course they save the world in the end. The personalities of the girls are very likable, and the magical characters, in addition to the fairies, are a lot of fun. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of fairy stories, fairytales, children's fantasy, and wholesome stories with values and morals.
-- Margaret Downy, teacher, grandmother, fairy lover, 01/26/2006
My daughter really did like it.
I was somewhat skeptical about this series at first, but my daughter received this book as a gift and really liked it. She is now walking around the house saying “pop” to change into a fairy and asking if anyone has seen her wand. We have started reading the online books at the website. Some of them are funny and some of them are serious. A few of the stories are somewhere in the middle like this one. My daughter and I both like the many different characters. This book has good variety in that way since it is a story with a dwarf, a black squirrel, a squitt, goblins, a black stag, and brownies. The Forgotten Forest sounds like a beautiful and tranquil place. It really carried us away in the end.
-- Jessica Carl, children's librarian, 01/12/2006 Black Squirrels and Black Stags
I had no idea that there really are black squirrels and black deer. Once again, the writer of this series has mixed realism with fantasy for this story. The information about Blue Moons is also interesting. When my daughter and I Googled Blue Moons, we found out even more about them and are now watching for them. We also searched for black squirrels and have enjoyed the online pics of these little critters. We are wondering what the other colors in this story might mean. “Purple Meadow, Red Squit, White Meadow, Pink Periwinkle.” Is this just a variety of colors or do they mean something to the story? We have found a few things hidden in some of the other Fairy Chronicles books so this has made us curious. This series is taking a very interesting shape so far. The fairy camping trip described in this book, and the discussion about growing white asparagus, were also interesting. This story has a nice nature theme and it is our favorite so far of this series.
-- Diane Rinaldo, parent, reader, 01/04/2006 Unique Storyline, Very Appealing
I was glad I bought this book because it very much surprised me. The writer mixed up a lot of things for a unique combination of items to make up this storyline. (black squirrel, nature, camping, meaning in trees, dwarf, fairies, responsibility, blue moons, magical blue moon clover, Black Stag, shedding antlers, hornets, ghost leaves, American Indian fairy) What is veryy interesting is some of the real things mixed up with the magical ones. I almost believed the whole thing!
One message is very important and stands out in this book, that life is more important than earthly treasures. I thought the squit part was very cute and clever too. And I almost believed in him too! Because of his job of catching air-flies and spreading spores and lichens.
This was a fun book for me to read and very surprising. It makes me want to read more about fairies.
--A. Driscoll (March 20, 2006) "Great Fairy Adventure”
I wouldn’t exactly call the books in this series sequels. They are more like a continuation of a big overall story. However, even though the books are connected, they are fun to read on their own. The adventures the fairies are having are very separate stories, and I think they are getting better. I actually read Book 4 of the series at the website before ever picking up Books 1-3. Book 4 so far is my two daughters’ favorite, mine too. The dwarf and his squit are our favorite characters.
Protecting nature is a nice theme running throughout the series and this book has a lot of messages relating to conservation and preservation. But it is not preachy which we like. There is just some information about parks and wildlife worked into the storyline. Gnome gardening is again part of this book as it was for the earlier books.
We liked the trip through the forest and the tension of the importance of the mission. When information was added in about blue moon clover and squits, it made the story even more fun. The run-in with the hornets was a little scary. Good thing Marigold was along on this journey. It is very convenient that each of the fairies’ gifts contributed nicely to the adventure, but the way these things were worked into the story was believable.
I will be reading this again with my two girls. It is a very good story.
--Heike Clarke (February 14, 2006) Lose Yourself in an Amazing Fairy World
Wow! I've read a lot of fairy books over the years, but I have never read a fairy story like this. At the beginning of the book, you wonder if you actually have a fairy book in your hands because the story starts off with real girls. I didn't know the fairies were real girls too. That is very interesting and very believable. The information about blue moons is also interesting, and real, and accurate. Except it doesn't put forth many of the superstitions surrounding blue moons, unless you count the blue moon clover of the story with healing properties. The long and short of this is that the fairies save the world, all of the animals and humankind, and they are only nine-year-old girls. That is pretty amazing. The magic of the book is fun too with a goblin, a squit ( I had never heard of one), a dwarf, a magical Black Stag, and a talking black squirrel. A lot of fun and worth reading twice or more!
--Pressa Herbert (September 3, 2006) Nice Dose of Values
This is a strong group of little girls taking on challenges and following a set of rules. They are doing good things and helping to solve problems. The book seems to have a very positive outlook on life that includes teamwork and respect for one another and all life, even "earthworms". The fairies are a good combination of character types with varying backgrounds, even including a Native American fairy, Periwinkle, with a spirit guide. My kids were tremendously interested in this. I think this book is good for them as it puts forth good values.
--Genevra Ilym (February 24, 2006) Progressing to More Serious Themes
This is the 4th book in this series and actually has a life and death theme. It focuses on how important life is and the seriousness of the mission to find healing blue moon clover to stop a terrible curse. My daughter and I both loved the ending of this story when Firefly receives the small gift of the golden acorn but lets us know that it is not nearly as important to her as the good news that the curse is ended and the black squirrels are all healed.
We also love the squit and the idea that the squit might be a magical dwarf mind trick, instead of being real (as if squits could be real at all). We believed they were until the author threw a monkey wrench into the mix with the fairy handbook entry describing the possible dwarf mind trick. My daughter now wants me to buy her a stuffed squit, and I don't know what to tell her. It doesn't appear that there are any toys related to this series, but I might be able to make her one. Of course I won't be able to get it to pop around like a "piece of popcorn that keeps on popping."
Another serious part of this story is when we find out Magnolia lost her fairy spirit. I didn't really understand this part of the storyline, other than it setting a serious tone, but I read a statement from the author that this event is key to a future book of the series. This is a fun book with a serious theme, but with some light aspects to counter the seriousness. I recommend it very highly.
--Chynna Barrie (January 10, 2006) What publications are saying about The Fairy Chronicles: Nine-year-old Beth is not looking forward to spending two weeks with her eccentric Aunt Evelyn. Her attitude changes once Beth discovers she is a marigold fairy and her aunt, a monarch butterfly fairy, teachers her about all things fairy, and takes her to a fairy circle where she meet new flower fairy friends. Beth, or “Marigold,” embarks on an adventure with her new friends to rescue the Feather of Hope from a house teeming with evil gremlins. They are successful, and return the feather to the guardians of the feather. Each book in this series will focus on a different fairy and contains attractive, color illustrations, Fairy Facts and Fairy Fun.
-- Library Media Connection (10.1.07) Nine-year-old Beth Parish dreads spending two summer weeks with odd Aunt Evelyn. Things change when Evelyn reveals she and Beth are fairies. With Evelyn’s guidance, Beth, a marigold fairy, learns how to transform, fly, and use her wand. When the Feather of Hope (which keeps hope alive in the world) is taken, Beth, with her dachshund Pete, joins other fairies in a plan to retrieve it from a gremlin-occupied house. This first title of the originally self-published Fairy Chronicles series combines traditional fairy and contemporary elements with a likeable protagonist, who comes to appreciate her new abilities and responsibilities. The rescue is suspenseful, and Sweet laces the story with light humor and abundant fantasy details (fairies communicate via “nut messaging”). The colorful, classically styled illustrations, new to this edition, occasionally don’t match the text (characters drink root beer from bottles not mugs as shown), but they are quite appealing as is the use of decorative lettering here and there. An accessible, enjoyable story for readers who can’t seem to get enough about such magical spirits.
--Booklist (8.07) Gr 2-4–This first book in a new series is fun fluff that will appeal to a variety of readers. When nine-year-old Beth Parish spends two weeks with Aunt Evelyn, she is surprised to learn that she is a marigold fairy and that her aunt is a monarch butterfly fairy and her mentor. She gives Beth her first wand, a pussy willow branch. A handbook appears out of thin air and will age with the child, providing more information as she matures. Her aunt takes Beth to a fairy circle where she meets a diverse group of girls her age. The brownies have lost the feather of hope and the girls must rescue it from a house that has gremlins. This easy chapter book is nicely designed with full-page, attractive pastel-colored paintings and accents at chapter beginnings and throughout the book. An opening spread introduces the four girls that make up the fairy team. Back matter features a recipe, fairy facts, and information on the Cottingley fairies. Children who want to practice their reading wings will probably be enticed to keep turning pages.
--Debbie S. Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI (School Library Journal (7.07))
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